Top Ten Cute (& Crazy) Music Festival Fashion Trends

This weekend, we had the opportunity to go to one of the biggest musical festivals in the world–Coachella Arts and Music Festival in Indio, California.

Located in the triple-digit degree desert on an expansive polo field with many stages, you can imagine that the clothing is as bare, sheer, and little as possible. But we did notice some over-arching fashion themes–most of them awful, some of them adorable.

Check out what the Top Ten Looks The World Was Wearing To Coachella and whether they were Rad, a Fad, or Bad.

Wear them (or stay far, far away from them) at your next summer concert, festival, or just to channel some hippie-rock chic when the weather heats up.

10. Pretty Floral Sundresses & Maxi Skirts

Photo by Gabriel Olson

Our Fashion Verdict:Rad

Obviously the classiest look at the festival, girls of all shapes, ages, and sizes were wearing gorgeous little girlie frocks that had kind of a ’90s grunge-revivalist feel with them.

In chillier weather, the dresses and maxi skirts could be easily paired with some awesome lace up boots, but most girls in the super hot weather were smart and wearing little leather sandals.

9. Crop Tops

Photo by Karl Walter//Getty Images

Our Fashion Verdict:Fad

Crop tops with high-waisted skirts and shorts were all the rage at Coachella this year. This crop top combo is a nice way to bare some skin without looking like you are basically wearing your underwear in public–a fashion faux pas that is pretty much de rigueur at festivals.

We liked this one because it was a light cotton burn-out heather paired with a frilly little floral skirt. Super cute and very fresh.

8. Brightly Colored Rompers

Photo by Frazer Harrison//Getty Images

Our Fashion Verdict:Fad

Rompers are an on-point trend this year and for good reason–they provide comfort, cutting-edge style, and modesty all at the same time.

Plus–besides bathroom accessibility–rompers are easy to don. A lot of girls were wearing with them at Coachella—especially with boots. While this combo is pretty silly for a festival (port-a-potty anyone?), it’s a nice day-to-day fad to follow in 2011.

7. Giant Hats

Photo by Karl Walter//Getty Images

Our Fashion Verdict:Rad

Lots of girls say they aren’t “hat people,” but different kinds of hats look good on everyone. Plus, they have the added advantage of not only being fun and stylish but incredibly functional.

Not only did we see [lastfm link_type=”artist_info”]Rihanna[/lastfm] wearing a huge hat, but[lastfm link_type=”artist_info”] Kelly Osbourne[/lastfm] and about seventy-five of the female population on the polo field. The best thing about the hat as wardrobe staple is that if you get a really chic one, you can wear a simple outfit with your hat as the “character” piece.

6. High-Waisted Shorts

Photo by Kevin Winter//Getty Images

Our Fashion Verdict:Rad

A couple of years ago, people were saying that high-waisted shorts and pants were completely a fad, but as evidenced by a majority of the outfits at Coachella (that didn’t consist of a bikini and a hair wreath), high-waisted shorts are here to stay.

Whether the shorts were denim, linen, tribal, or decorated as the pair above, they are a perfect way to wear a bikini or swimsuit top without looking so scandalous.

5. Uniform Hats

Photo by Frazer Harrison//Getty Images

Our Fashion Verdict:Bad

We’ve never seen this at a music festival before, but we felt like we saw uniform hats everywhere at Coachella. Dita Von Teese was spotted wearing a tiny little sailors cap—which she couldn’t even pull off.

We really don’t understand what the motivation was behind the uniform hats was, as many didn’t provide any sun-coverage and they weren’t part of thematic style on the part of the person wearing them.

4. Cute Cropped Hair

Photo by Frazer Harrison//Getty Images

Our Fashion Verdict:Rad

While there were a lot of girls with long, hippie locks, one of the most refreshing (and jealousy-inducing looks) we saw were girls with short, cropped hair. In the hot weather, cropped hair not only looks model-esque, but it’s insanely practical.

We think the girl above looks beautiful, feminine, and well-ventilated–three things we strive for with festival wear.

3. Leopard Print

Photo by Karl Walter//Getty Images

Our Fashion Verdict:Fad

Not just a festival trend, leopard print is huge for Spring 2011 and we saw a lot of it on the more fashionable festival girls. The leopard print took on many different manifestations and it always looks sexy rock ‘n roller, but as it does every couple of years, this trend is bound to fade away.

For now, rock it with Tiffany blue nails, some girlie booties, and a light, drape-y leather jacket for when the night gets chilly.

2. Spirit Hoods

Photo by Christopher Polk//Getty Images

Our Fashion Verdict:Bad

We understand that this is considered “raver wear” and that raving goes on at Coachella, but we’ve even seen the spirit hood look on the streets of Los Angeles and we want it to go away as soon as possible. Yes, it’s fun; it’s silly; it’s cute.

But the look is also ridiculous and we have a feeling that these people think they look “cool.”

1. Native American Headdress

Photo by Frazer Harrison//Getty Images

Our Fashion Verdict:Bad

Out of all the Coachella fashion looks, the biggest one was the Native American headgear. From musicians to tiny twee girls to burly men to children, so many people were rocking different variations on the Native American headdress.

We aren’t sure whether this is a point of contention and we should think this look is completely disrespectful or just liken it to the “spirit animal” hoods as decorative silliness, but we think this is a huge festival no-no.

What fashions have you seen at music festivals? What do you like and dislike? Let us know in the comments!

I think this entire article misses the entire reason people go to a music festival…. My advice first be yourself…..wear what you want to wear and remember this is the 3 day party of your life…..Also you completely fail to mention that most of the styles this article claims as bad are fucking awesome when you have a head full of drugs and trust me the majority of the people at a festival like coachella are on drugs. PLus once again remember this is a party not a runway….rage out act ridiculous have a good sense of humor and remember being sexy is cool and all but its not the best goal in life to try and achieve 100%….honestly. The festival scene is a place of love and open minds hearts and spirits, be respectful….dont sit around and hate on attire.